Bronson Movie Blasted By U.K. Prison Officers
5 March 2009 4:05 AM, PST

A forthcoming movie based on the life of a violent British criminal has come under fire from U.K. prison officials - who have condemned film bosses for "glorifying" the life of a dangerous thug.

Bronson is based on the life of notorious convict Charles Bronson, who was jailed for armed robbery in 1974 and has stayed behind bars ever since due to a string of assaults on fellow inmates and prison guards.

The 56-year-old, who is serving time in a Wakefield, Yorkshire prison, has also led an infamous rooftop protest at the jail, as well as taking staff hostage.


Now, Brit actor Tom Hardy, best known for his roles in gangster films Layer Cake and RocknRolla, has taken on the role of Bronson in the film, which is due to hit cinemas in the U.K. on 13 March.

But the U.K.'s Prison Officers' Association insists Bronson's notoriety should not be celebrated.

Colin Moses, the association's chairman, says, "We should not be glorifying this type of behaviour. This man has spent the best part of his life behind bars for causing harm to people.

"He has caused trauma to hard-working, law-abiding people who will never work again. Bronson is not a victim, he is the perpetrator."

-IMDB News

Trailer for Bronson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLvVXYwVj-o

Prison Officers Demand Inquiry Over Bronson Premiere
11 March 2009 5:20 AM, PDT

Prison officials in the U.K. are demanding an inquiry after a voice recording of violent British criminal Charles Bronson was played at the premiere of a new film about his life.

Bronson - starring Tom Hardy - is based on the life of the notorious convict, who was jailed for armed robbery in 1974 and has stayed behind bars ever since due to a string of assaults on fellow inmates and prison guards.

The 56-year-old, who is serving time in a Wakefield, Yorkshire prison, recorded a message to be played at the film's debut screening in London on Tuesday night.


Bronson told the assembled crowd, "I'm proud of this film, because if I drop dead tonight, then I live on. I make no bones about it, I really was... a horrible, violent, nasty man. I'm not proud of it, but I'm not ashamed of it either."

Officials at Britain's Prison Officers' Association have blasted movie bosses for making the tape - insisting the recording compromised security at the facility where Bronson is held - because recorded interviews with inmates are strictly forbidden.

A spokesman for the organisation, Glyn Travis, says, "We've got grave concerns that people have abused the privilege of speaking to and visiting Charles Bronson while in prison. As a result of that they have managed to secrete or record a telephone call or conversation which has now been played in a public forum. Clearly somebody has abused the rules."

A representative for the country's Ministry of Justice stressed the tape had not been authorised and revealed the British government is taking steps to ensure there are no further violations, adding, "The Prison Service has taken appropriate steps to ensure that Charles Bronson does not profit financially from this film while he remains in prison.

"Any unauthorised interviews with the prisoner have been made in direct contravention of Prison Service policy. Steps have been taken to ensure that this does not happen again."

-IMDB News

Bronson Victim Speaks Out Over Film
12 March 2009 5:10 AM, PDT

A victim of violent British criminal Charles Bronson has slammed moviemakers for producing a "distressing" new film about his life.

Bronson - starring Tom Hardy - is based on the life of the notorious convict, who was jailed for armed robbery in 1974 and has stayed behind bars ever since due to a string of assaults on fellow inmates and prison guards.

Officials at the U.K.'s Prison Officers Association previously criticised the movie, insisting filmmakers should not be "glorifying this type of behaviour".

And now one of Bronson's victims has vented his fury about the new film.

Teacher Phillip Danielson was taken hostage and tortured by Bronson at Hull prison in 1999 and the incident is featured in a scene in the movie.

Sasha Callaghan, of the University and College Union, a representative for Danielson, says, "There is CCTV footage of Phillip being tied to a chair and tortured, dragged around with a rope around his neck, and held over a balcony and told he would be dropped. He was beaten, abused and so seriously traumatised he was forced to take early retirement on health grounds. The film has caused an awful lot of distress."

Danielson adds, "My mental state has suffered terribly. It has cost me dearly."

-IMDB News